I can't believe surgery was only 3 weeks ago! I still have facial paralysis (my right eyebrow does not move), but the doctor is hopeful movement will return in around 4-9 months.  Pain killers are still my best friend-- I have to take them around the clock to feel comfortable, so I am sleeping the days away.  Summer is not very exciting, but I have gotten out a few times.  It is weird not working and being productive, but it leaves time to study for neuroscience, hang with family, and hopefully get back to 100% (or at least my 100%).  I am experiencing extreme skin sensitivity, which is normal after they cut through all of those nerves and muscle, but it is so painful.  My physical therapists recommends lightly rubbing a tissue on the right side of my face, but even that drives me crazy.  All will take time to heal, but until then, I will persevere!


Here is a picture from my surgery day, just 3 weeks ago!

It's Always Something...

This past weekend, I had to travel back to Denver to see the surgeon because my belly button incision refused to heal.  It was wide open--it was as if I had two belly button!  It was pretty nasty, to be honest, and it was a deep wound.  The surgeon stitched it up, and hopefully it will heal up just fine now.  

I have been having some intense pain in the middle of my cheek.  It is very sharp and even when I press lightly, I twitch and convulse with pain.  Dr. Aragon injected lidocaine and some cortisone in the muscle thinking I was suffering from muscle inflammation.  The injection did not help at all, so that is making me think this is nerve pain.  It is driving me crazy!  It is probably the worst pain since the surgery.  

Overall, recovery is going smoothly.  I am still on pretty soft foods-- smoothies, soup, mashed potatoes.  I am occasionally eating french fries or sucking on soft crackers, but I am really ready to eat a burger or a sandwich!  The arch bars are a pain in my butt, but I am used to them by now.  Right now, it is just time to continue to recover... 

The pain has been pretty bad... I have been on pain killers constantly, and now I am getting a sore throat.  The swelling is not as bad as I thought it would be, but I have some red blotches appearing on my face.  The smoothies, frozen yogurt, and pudding have been going down well, and I am not sick of soft foods just yet.  I have been keeping myself occupied by coloring, watching TV, and sleeping the majority of the day away.  I am still in Denver (I have two appointments with the surgeon next week), and I am so ready to be home.

The x-ray of my new skull!

Surgery Successful

Surgery was successful! Dr. Aragon only had to operate on the right side.  He said this surgery was bound to happen, as when he took the joint out, it was very destroyed.  He believes this titanium join will do me very well.

I have the arch bars in, but I will not have my jaw banded until tomorrow (Friday).  I spent one night in the hospital, and I have been at a constant pain level of about 8/10.  The pain pump and Percocet have been mildly helping, but I have been suffering from intense itching.

I have been on a liquid diet, and will probably continue that for at least a few weeks.  I did have a little fat graft from my belly button to place around the prosthetic joint, so my stomach is a bit sore, but nothing comparable to my jaw area.  The swelling is definitely beginning.

After surgery

Arch bars-- Not yet banded